Another soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery. 

A General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at the Headquarters, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, has sentenced a soldier, Private Adamu Mohammed, to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend.

 Another soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for robbery. 

The rulings followed weeks of deliberation after the soldiers were tried for serious offences against military conduct and Nigerian law.

The court, comprising 11 members, was inaugurated on February 18, 2025, by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to try erring personnel within the division for offences not triable summarily.

In a statement issued Monday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu, the GCM's President, Brigadier General Sadisu Buhari, delivered the verdicts in a solemn courtroom.

Private Adamu Mohammed, identified as 21NA/80/6365, was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Miss Hauwa Ali. 

The offence is punishable under Section 106(a) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.

"Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder," said Brigadier General Buhari. 

He explained that the panel arrived at a unanimous decision after a careful review of the evidence presented, including the soldier’s service record and a compassionate plea for leniency. 

“However, in the interest of societal decorum and justice for the deceased, the law had to be applied to its fullest,” he added.

In a related case, the court also sentenced Private Abubakar Yusuf, 23NA/85/12116, to 10 years in prison after finding him guilty of robbery committed at a mall in Enugu. 

He was charged under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act.

Meanwhile,  the court considered mitigating pleas for leniency, it could not reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum punishment. 

Instead, the GCM relied on Section 140(3) of the same Act to issue the sentence.

"However, due to the inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum mandatory punishment... the accused soldier, Private Abubakar Yusuf, is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment," General Buhari stated.

He further clarified that the findings and sentences remain subject to confirmation by the appropriate military confirming authority, marking the conclusion of the trials.

Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to professionalism, justice, and discipline in its ranks.

“The Nigerian Army assures the general public of its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professional conduct in the discharge of its duties,” the statement read.

It added that while the actions of a few do not represent the values of the Army, “swift and decisive measures are always taken to ensure accountability and justice.”

The army said it reaffirmed its dedication to discipline, integrity, and fostering public trust in its operations across Nigeria.